ABRAXANE and Advanced Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

What should I know about advanced non–small cell lung cancer?

Most common places in the body where advanced NSCLC may spread.

What is advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)?

Lung cancer is cancer that starts in the lungs. It starts as pre-cancerous or abnormal cells in the lung. Over time, abnormal cells in the lungs grow out of control and form a tumor (TOO-mer). A tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue.

There are 2 main types of lung cancer:

Non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Small cell lung cancer

NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer. About 85% of lung cancers are NSCLC. In people with NSCLC, the cancer may spread from the lungs to other parts of the body. This is called advanced NSCLC. This type of cancer is also known as metastatic (met-tuh-STA-tik) or stage 4 lung cancer.

Most common places in the body where advanced NSCLC may spread.

How many people have advanced non–small cell lung cancer?

If you have advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), you are not alone. About 190,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with NSCLC each year. Nearly 80% are diagnosed after the cancer has spread from the lungs to other parts of the body or becomes advanced NSCLC.

Are some people more at risk for lung cancer?

There are certain factors that affect a person’s chance of getting lung cancer. It is important to know that having 1 or more risk factors does not mean that you will definitely get lung cancer. And some people may get this type of cancer even if they don’t have any risk factors.

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Age

Lung cancer is more common in older adults than younger people. About 2 out of 3 people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 years of age or older. The average age of diagnosis is 70 years old.

Gender

Men are more likely than women to get lung cancer.

Race

African American men are more likely to get lung cancer than white men. But African American women are less likely to get lung cancer than white women.

Personal or Family History

If you have had lung cancer before, you are more likely to have it again. You also have a higher risk for getting lung cancer if you have a close blood relative who has had it.

In addition to a person’s age, gender, race, and family history—all things that can’t be changed—there are risk factors for lung cancer that are considered lifestyle factors. This means that they can be controlled to some degree.

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Smoking

Smoking is the biggest risk factor for lung cancer. About 80% of lung cancer cases are thought to be caused by smoking. Cigar, pipe, and secondhand smoke also put you at greater risk for lung cancer.

Exposure to Certain Chemicals and Gases

Being exposed to certain chemicals on a regular basis—like at work—puts you at greater risk for getting lung cancer. These include asbestos, radon, diesel exhaust, and arsenic in drinking water.

When your body is exposed to other things, like pollutants and certain types of cancer treatments, you may also have a greater risk for lung cancer. These include

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Air Pollution

Air pollution may raise the risk of lung cancer, especially in cities.

Radiation Therapy

If you have had radiation therapy to the chest to treat another cancer, you may be at a higher risk for lung cancer. The risk becomes even greater if you also smoke.

I am a caregiver. Where can I find support?

Your role as a caregiver of a person with advanced cancer is one of the most important roles you will fill in your life. It is rewarding to support your loved one through his or her experience. It is also likely to be challenging. While you put your energy and efforts into caring for your loved one, who cares for you?

Asking for help is critical in your role as caregiver. You may have friends or family members who are available to help you with the physical and emotional demands of caregiving. They may just be waiting for you to ask. There are also support groups that you can reach out to for answers to questions, to form connections with others, and to help you feel less alone.

What is ABRAXANE?

ABRAXANE is a prescription medicine used to treat advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in combination with carboplatin (KAR-boh-pla-tin), in people who cannot be treated with surgery or radiation.

ABRAXANE is a chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee). Chemotherapy is a type of medicine that is used to keep cancer cells from growing or to kill cancer cells. Treatment with ABRAXANE plus carboplatin may help control or slow the spread of cancer cells.

Your doctor may recommend treatment with ABRAXANE + carboplatin based on your stage of cancer, your response to prior therapy, and your overall health. Only your doctor can help you decide if ABRAXANE + carboplatin is right for you.

What is in ABRAXANE?

The medicine in ABRAXANE,
paclitaxel, is bound to albumin.Illustrative purposes only.

ABRAXANE is a different formulation of the cancer-fighting medicine paclitaxel (PAK-li-TAK-sel). ABRAXANE is made by binding paclitaxel to albumin (al-BYOO-min). Albumin is a protein found in the blood.

The medicine in ABRAXANE, paclitaxel, is bound to albumin. Illustrative purposes only.

Here is what this means to you:

Because ABRAXANE is bound to albumin, no solvents are needed to dissolve it

Solvents are chemicals that dissolve some medicines so that they can be given by infusion (in-FYOO-zhun)

Some solvents can cause allergic reactions

Since ABRAXANE does not contain solvents, it is not usually necessary to take medicines to prevent allergic reactions before ABRAXANE is given. These medicines are called premedication

It is important to know that allergic reactions can occur with ABRAXANE. Premedication may be needed if you have had an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions may be severe and can lead to death. In case of severe allergic reaction, ABRAXANE should not be used again.

How does ABRAXANE work?

ABRAXANE travels through the bloodstream to reach cells in many parts of the body, including cancer cells. Illustrative purposes only.

ABRAXANE may help stop cancer cells from dividing and making new cells. ABRAXANE works by blocking the action of proteins called microtubules (MY-kroh-TOO-byools). These proteins help cells divide.

Systemic (sis-TEH-mik) treatments like ABRAXANE are used to treat metastatic (meh-tuh-STA-tik) cancer. This is cancer that has spread from one part of the body to another. It is also known as advanced or stage 4 cancer. Systemic treatments travel through the bloodstream. This makes it possible to reach cells in many parts of the body, including cancer cells. ABRAXANE may also affect normal cells. This may cause side effects.

ABRAXANE travels through the bloodstream to reach cells in many parts of the body, including cancer cells. Illustrative purposes only.

How are ABRAXANE and carboplatin given?

ABRAXANE and carboplatin are given by intravenous (IN-truh-VEE-nus), or IV, infusion (in-FYOO-zhun). To begin the infusion:

A nurse inserts a thin, soft tube into your vein to give the medicine. This is often called an IV. If you have a central line in place, the nurse will use that to give you the medicine

ABRAXANE flows through the IV into your bloodstream

On the days you get carboplatin, it is given right after ABRAXANE

After each infusion, the nurse removes the IV or the device that delivered the medicines through your central line. Your central line or port stays in place

Treatment with ABRAXANE can cause irritation where the medicine is injected (injection site reactions). You should be monitored by your doctor or nurse during and after you receive ABRAXANE to make sure no problems occur at the injection site. In some cases, these problems occurred 7 to 10 days after the medicine was injected.

Your treatment with ABRAXANE will be given in your doctor’s office, at a hospital, or at an infusion center. Each infusion of ABRAXANE takes 30 minutes. The time it takes to get carboplatin can vary. Tests, checkups, or waiting time may affect the length of treatment sessions.

How often will I be given ABRAXANE + carboplatin?

Start cycle 1

Start cycle 2

ABRAXANE is given once a week for 3 weeks in a row during a 21-day treatment cycle:

ABRAXANE is a prescription medicine used to treat advanced non–small cell lung cancer, in combination with carboplatin, in people who cannot be treated with surgery or radiation.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call
1-800-FDA-1088.

ABRAXANE is a prescription medicine used to treat advanced non–small cell lung cancer, in combination with carboplatin, in people who cannot be treated with surgery or radiation.

Important Safety Information

WARNING – LOW WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT (NEUTROPENIA)

Do not take ABRAXANE if your white blood cell count is below 1500 cells/mm3 (neutropenia), since you may be more likely to get a serious infection. While taking ABRAXANE, you must get regular blood tests to check for any problems that could develop

ABRAXANE contains albumin, a substance found in human blood. Do not substitute for or with other paclitaxel formulations

Who Should Not Receive ABRAXANE?

Do not receive ABRAXANE if:

your white blood cell count is below 1500 cells/mm3

you have had a severe allergic reaction to ABRAXANE

Serious Side Effects

ABRAXANE may cause serious side effects, including:

decreased blood counts. ABRAXANE can cause a severe decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell important in fighting against bacterial infections) and platelets (important for clotting and to control bleeding). Your doctor will check your blood cell count during your treatment with ABRAXANE and after you have stopped your treatment

numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet (neuropathy)

allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions, which could be severe and sometimes fatal, have been reported with ABRAXANE

Other Risks

Treatment with ABRAXANE can make liver problems worse. If you have liver problems, your starting dose of ABRAXANE should be lowered or withheld

ABRAXANE contains albumin (human), a product of human blood

Risks to Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or become pregnant, ABRAXANE can harm your unborn baby. You should not become pregnant while taking ABRAXANE. Women who may become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception). Talk to your doctor about the best way to prevent pregnancy while receiving ABRAXANE

If you are a man, you should not father a child during your treatment with ABRAXANE. ABRAXANE can harm the unborn baby of your partner

In some patients receiving ABRAXANE, severe heart and blood vessel side effects have occurred. These included chest pain, heart attack, fluid under the skin, blood clots in the veins or lungs, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart failure

Other Important Safety Information about ABRAXANE

You should contact your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, cough, or breathing difficulties that do not go away, or signs of an allergic reaction. Tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions

Treatment with ABRAXANE can cause irritation where the medicine is injected (injection site reactions). You should be monitored by your doctor or nurse during and after you receive ABRAXANE to make sure no problems occur at the injection site. In some cases, these problems occurred 7 to 10 days after the medicine was injected

It is not known whether ABRAXANE interacts with other drugs, so be sure to tell your doctor about any medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking

Since it is not known if ABRAXANE passes into human milk, you should discuss with your doctor if you should receive ABRAXANE or breastfeed

It is not known if ABRAXANE is safe or effective in children

ABRAXANE has not been adequately studied in people with severe kidney problems

These are not all the possible side effects of ABRAXANE. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Important Safety Information

ABRAXANE is a prescription medicine used to treat advanced breast cancer in people who have already received certain other medicines for their cancer.

Important Safety Information

WARNING – LOW WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT (NEUTROPENIA)

Do not take ABRAXANE if your white blood cell count is below 1500 cells/mm3 (neutropenia), since you may be more likely to get a serious infection. While taking ABRAXANE, you must get regular blood tests to check for any problems that could develop

ABRAXANE contains albumin, a substance found in human blood. Do not substitute for or with other paclitaxel formulations

Who Should Not Receive ABRAXANE?

Do not receive ABRAXANE if:

your white blood cell count is below 1500 cells/mm3

you have had a severe allergic reaction to ABRAXANE

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Serious Side Effects

ABRAXANE may cause serious side effects, including:

decreased blood counts. ABRAXANE can cause a severe decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell important in fighting against bacterial infections) and platelets (important for clotting and to control bleeding). Your doctor will check your blood cell count during your treatment with ABRAXANE and after you have stopped your treatment

numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet (neuropathy)

allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions, which could be severe and sometimes fatal, have been reported with ABRAXANE

Other Risks

Treatment with ABRAXANE can make liver problems worse. If you have liver problems, your starting dose of ABRAXANE should be lowered or withheld

ABRAXANE contains albumin (human), a product of human blood

Risks to Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or become pregnant, ABRAXANE can harm your unborn baby. You should not become pregnant while taking ABRAXANE. Women who may become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception). Talk to your doctor about the best way to prevent pregnancy while receiving ABRAXANE

If you are a man, you should not father a child during your treatment with ABRAXANE. ABRAXANE can harm the unborn baby of your partner

In some patients receiving ABRAXANE, severe heart and blood vessel side effects have occurred. These included chest pain, heart attack, fluid under the skin, blood clots in the veins or lungs, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart failure

Other Important Safety Information about ABRAXANE

You should contact your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, cough, or breathing difficulties that do not go away, or signs of an allergic reaction. Tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions

Treatment with ABRAXANE can cause irritation where the medicine is injected (injection site reactions). You should be monitored by your doctor or nurse during and after you receive ABRAXANE to make sure no problems occur at the injection site. In some cases, these problems occurred 7 to 10 days after the medicine was injected

It is not known whether ABRAXANE interacts with other drugs, so be sure to tell your doctor about any medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking

Since it is not known if ABRAXANE passes into human milk, you should discuss with your doctor if you should receive ABRAXANE or breastfeed

It is not known if ABRAXANE is safe or effective in children

ABRAXANE has not been adequately studied in people with severe kidney problems

These are not all the possible side effects of ABRAXANE. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call
1-800-FDA-1088.

ABRAXANE is a prescription medicine used to treat advanced non–small cell lung cancer, in combination with carboplatin, in people who cannot be treated with surgery or radiation.

Important Safety Information

WARNING – LOW WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT (NEUTROPENIA)

Do not take ABRAXANE if your white blood cell count is below 1500 cells/mm3 (neutropenia), since you may be more likely to get a serious infection. While taking ABRAXANE, you must get regular blood tests to check for any problems that could develop

ABRAXANE contains albumin, a substance found in human blood. Do not substitute for or with other paclitaxel formulations

Who Should Not Receive ABRAXANE?

Do not receive ABRAXANE if:

your white blood cell count is below 1500 cells/mm3

you have had a severe allergic reaction to ABRAXANE

Serious Side Effects

ABRAXANE may cause serious side effects, including:

decreased blood counts. ABRAXANE can cause a severe decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell important in fighting against bacterial infections) and platelets (important for clotting and to control bleeding). Your doctor will check your blood cell count during your treatment with ABRAXANE and after you have stopped your treatment

numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet (neuropathy)

allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions, which could be severe and sometimes fatal, have been reported with ABRAXANE

Other Risks

Treatment with ABRAXANE can make liver problems worse. If you have liver problems, your starting dose of ABRAXANE should be lowered or withheld

ABRAXANE contains albumin (human), a product of human blood

Risks to Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or become pregnant, ABRAXANE can harm your unborn baby. You should not become pregnant while taking ABRAXANE. Women who may become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception). Talk to your doctor about the best way to prevent pregnancy while receiving ABRAXANE

If you are a man, you should not father a child during your treatment with ABRAXANE. ABRAXANE can harm the unborn baby of your partner

In some patients receiving ABRAXANE, severe heart and blood vessel side effects have occurred. These included chest pain, heart attack, fluid under the skin, blood clots in the veins or lungs, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart failure

Other Important Safety Information about ABRAXANE

You should contact your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, cough, or breathing difficulties that do not go away, or signs of an allergic reaction. Tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions

Treatment with ABRAXANE can cause irritation where the medicine is injected (injection site reactions). You should be monitored by your doctor or nurse during and after you receive ABRAXANE to make sure no problems occur at the injection site. In some cases, these problems occurred 7 to 10 days after the medicine was injected

It is not known whether ABRAXANE interacts with other drugs, so be sure to tell your doctor about any medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking

Since it is not known if ABRAXANE passes into human milk, you should discuss with your doctor if you should receive ABRAXANE or breastfeed

It is not known if ABRAXANE is safe or effective in children

ABRAXANE has not been adequately studied in people with severe kidney problems

These are not all the possible side effects of ABRAXANE. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Glossary

What do all these terms mean?

Facing the challenge of advanced cancer can be hard enough without the confusion of medical terms. It is important that you understand the language of cancer so that you can take an active role in your treatment. Always ask your healthcare team to explain things simply if there is something you don’t understand.

Advanced cancer

Cancer that has spread to other places in the body.

Albumin (al-BYOO-min)

A type of protein found in the blood.

Anemia (uh-NEE-mee-uh)

A condition in which the number of red blood cells is below normal. Red blood cells carry oxygen to your body tissues. Anemia can make you feel tired, weak, and short of breath.

Blood cell count

The number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood.

Carboplatin (KAR-boh-pla-tin)

A chemotherapy medicine prescribed to treat cancer. It can be used alone or with other chemotherapies.

Chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)

Medicines used to keep cancer cells from growing or to kill cancer cells.

Colloidal (kuh-LOY-dul) oatmeal

Fine powder made from ground oats added to bath water to soothe dry, itchy skin.

Dehydration (dee-hy-DRAY-shun)

Loss of too much water and needed fluids from the body. May be caused by vomiting, diarrhea, or fever.

Gemcitabine (jem-CY-tuh-been)

A chemotherapy medicine prescribed to treat cancer. It can be used alone or with other chemotherapies.

Hereditary (huh-RED-i-ter-ee)

A term for a condition that is passed through the genes from parent to offspring.

Infusion (in-FYOO-zhun)

A way of giving medicine that allows it to pass directly into the bloodstream. Also called intravenous (IN-truh-VEE-nus), or IV, infusion.

Invasive (in-VEY-siv) cancer

Cancer that grows into (invades) normal tissues in or beyond where it began.

Malignant (muh-LIG-nuhnt) tumor

A tumor that invades and destroys nearby tissue and may spread to other parts of the body.

Metastatic (meh-tuh-STA-tik)

Cancer that has spread from one part of the body to another. Also known as advanced or stage 4 cancer.

Microtubules (MY-kroh-TOO-byools)

Proteins that help cells divide.

Mutation (myoo-TEY-shuhn)

A defect in the genes.

Neuropathy (nor-AH-puh-thee)

Numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet that may be caused by chemotherapy, injury, infection, or conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure. Also known as peripheral (peh-RIH-feh-rul) neuropathy.

Neutropenia (noo-troh-PEE-nee-uh)

A condition in which the number of neutrophils is below normal.

Neutrophils (NOO-troh-fils)

A type of white blood cell that helps fight infection.

Paclitaxel (PAK-li-TAK-sel)

A medicine used to treat cancer.

Pancreas (PAN-kree-uhs)

An organ found behind your stomach that helps the body digest food and provides energy for the body’s activities.

Platelet (PLAYT-let)

A type of cell found in the blood that helps slow or stop bleeding.

Sepsis (SEP-sis)

The presence of bacteria or toxins in the blood or tissues.

Solvents

Chemicals that help dissolve a medicine so that it can be given by infusion.

Systemic therapy (sis-TEH-mik THAYR-uh-pee)

Medicines that travel through the bloodstream to reach cells in many parts of the body.

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